Antipilferage device



June 27, 1939. A MCWALTERS 2,163,955

ANTIPILFERAGE DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1938 A 34 3o 4o 34 35 A4 so rNvsN-ron ANDREW MCWALTERS ATTORNEYS Patented June 27, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE ANTIPILFERAGE DEVICE Andrew ,McWalters, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application August 18, 1938, Serial No. 225,560

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to anti-pilierage seals and closures for use wherever it is desirable to prevent unauthorized operation of an otherwise easily removable cap closure, or holdiv ing device.

In many common devices valuable goods and fluids are stored under conditions such that they may easily be obtained by tampering with the container in which stored, or the means of location. For example, gas lines into residences and business places customarily have a shut-off valve and a drain plug within the customers premises between the meter and the gas main. Much gas is stolen by removing the drain plug and. coupling a by-pass around the meter, or by removing one of the ports of the shut-off valve so as to permit ingress into the line.

` Similarly, in the o-il elds there arev countless easily accessible oil lines into which access may readily be had by way of valves, exposed easily removable pipe ttings and the like. Again, at gasoline service stations there are usually many exposed pipes, valves and the like into which ingress may easily be had.

2B Another illustration of easy accessibility which permits pilferage is in connection with objects which are completely exposed, but bolted to some object which is not conveniently removable. An illustration of this are demountable wheels or Spare wheels of automobiles, lling station appliances, weighing scales in semi-public places and countless similar objects.

'In all of the foregoing and many similar instances which will be apparent to observant persons, pilferage is made easy by the fact that merely a bolt, nut, pipe cap, valve, or the like need be removed to permit removal of the valuable goods or fiuid. l

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealing device for use with or in place of the `customary bolt, nut, pipe cap, valve, or the like to prevent pilferage.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- 4 vide an anti-pilferage cover which may be locked in place over a port such as a nut, bolt, cap, valve port, or the like so as to prevent removal of such port.`

It is a further object of the invention to pro- 50v vide an anti-pilferage cover which is freely rotatable so as to make turning of the covered port by the cover impossible.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anti-pilferage device in which the 55' ports are locked in` position by a ring member (Cl. Y0-232) to prevent removal, and to provide means by which an authorized person may ingress.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a valve locking device for providing separation of a valve operating stem into a loose freely 5 rotatable part and another part, and to provide means for locking said freely rotatable part out of engagement with said other lpart While in the freely rotatable position. It is a further object of the invention to provide in such a device, means 10 for unlocking such freely rotatable part to permit rotation of said valve. It is a further object in such device to provide an assembly having a freely rotatable housing for covering accessible components of the valve. 15

in and implied by the constructions herein detil scribed, illustrated and claimed.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the drawing in which Figure 1 is a cross-sectional View in elevation of one type of sealing device made in accordance 30' with my invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational View, partly inv section of the device shown in Figure l showing the unlocking member in place.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view Se along the lines 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrows 4-4 of Figure 1. s

Figure 5 is an elevation view partly in section showing the sealing and locking device applied i0' to a cut-ofi valve.

Figure 6 is an elevational View partly in section showing the sealing and locking device applied to a gate valve.

One form of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 which show the antipilierage device of the present invention applied to a huid-carrying pipe. In this instance the fluid-carrying pipe is the lower drain-opening of a drain-L generally designated I, such as is commonly installed between the street gas main and the customers7` meters in residences and business establishments. The L l is provided with a downwardly extending channel 2 which is ordinarily capped by means of a cap 3. When water v or other condensates accumulate in channel 2 the cap may be removed and the condensates drained from the system. When the cap 3 is left exposed gas may be stolen by coupling a hose onto channel 2 in place of the cap, and by-passing the gas.

The anti-pilferage device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical collar generally designated 5 which has an internal diameter 6 which is sufficiently large so that it fits loosely about the surface I of the drain-L I, and is freely rotatable thereon. The collar is held in place behind cap 3. The collar 5 also has an outer cylindrical surface III which has formed therein a peripheral groove II.

Circumscribing collar 5 is a cover device generally designated I5, which consists of a second cylindrical collar I6 and a stamped metal cup Il which are permanently attached to each other, as shown at I8, by welding or the like. The cylindrical collar I6 has a small diameter 20 throughout a portion of its width and a somewhat larger diameter 2| throughout another portion of its width. Between surfaces 2|) and 2| there is a groove 22 which is slightly wider than the groove II formed in collar 5.

The collar 5 is provided with a ring 25 which is split at 26 as shown in Figure 3. Ring 25 is of hardened steel or other similar material and is tensioned so that it will normally expand to the position shown in Figure 3 and thereby lie partly in slot II in collar 5 and partly in slot 22 in outer cylindrical member I6. However, the ring 25 is of such width and diametei1 that when the slot 26 is closed by compression the ring will have an outer diameter slightly less than that of surface 2| of outer cylindrical member I5.

The cover I5 is composed of cup I1 which is attached to cylindrical member I6. Member I6 has a plurality of holes 30 formed in it. Holes 30 are spaced evenly around the collar and intersect groove 22 in the cylindrical member I6. It will be noted that the portion 3| of holes 3D extends beyond the surface 32 which forms the bottom of groove 22 in the cylindrical member.

The cup II is provided with a purality of holes 34, one directly in line with each of holes 39. The diameter of holes 34 is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of holes 30 in the cylindrical member I6.

In Figure l the cover I5 is shown in assembled relation with respect to collar 5 and it will be noted that due to the tension of ring 25 it lies partly in groove 22 of the outer member I6 and partly in groove I I of collar 5. As a consequence it is not possible to withdraw cover I5 from the collar 5 and access to cap 3 is therefore prevented. It will be noted that due to the peripheral orientation of grooves 22 and |I the cover I5 is freely rotatable with respect to collar 5 and furthermore collar 5 is freely rotatable with respect to cap 3. As a consequence it is impossible to rotate cap 3 by rotating either the cover I5 or the collar 5 and unauthorized removal of cap 3 is therefore prevented.

In Figure 5 there is also illustrated a cover plate 39 which has a cut-out portion 40 (see Figure fl) The cutout portion is of a size and configuration such that it receives the loop 4I which is stamped into the lov/er surface of cup I l. The cover I9 is formed with an upwardly extended flange 42 by which it is neatly located upon cap I`I and the cover may be held in place by a tape seal 43 of the car-seal type.

In order to permit removal of cover I5 by an authorized person an unlocking arrangement is provided, as shown in Figure 2. In this View it will be noted that cover 39 has been removed from cap Il and holes 34 in the cap are therefore exposed. The unlocking member generally designated 50 consists of a heavy Circular plate 5I having mounted thereon a plurality of steel rods 52 which have a diameter such that they will slide easily into holes 3l) in outer cylindrical member IS. The upper ends of each of the rods 22 are formed with a surface 55 which slants downwardly toward cap 3, as shown in Figure 2, and the surfaces 55 are hardened by case hardening or otherwise, so as to be able to resist scraping and deformation by the sharp edge of hardened steel ring 25. In use the unlocking device is inserted through holes 34 in cup Il and then thrust upwardly until the surfaces 55 come in contact with edge 55 of ring 25. The circular plate 5I is then pushed in and ring 25 is accordingly contracted at a number of places about its periphery. It is therefore flexed and its outer diameter reduced. The distance between surface 5l of oppositely disposed rods 52 (which is the minimum distance between diametrically disposed rods) is slightly less than the diameter 2| and as a consequence the outer member I5 and the unlocking device 50 may be drawn downwardly as shown in Figure 2 until the upper edge 58 has moved upwardly beyond the corner 59 of slot 22 (see Figure 2). The ring 25 is thereafter maintained at the minimum diameter by inner surface 2| of outer cylindrical member I6 and the outer member I5 may accordingly be withdrawn downwardly out of engagement with collar 5. The authorized person may then make any desired adjustments to cap 3.

It Will be noted that the surface 2| is rounded at 6I) as shown in Figure 2, which serves to facilitate compression of ring 25 when cover I5 is reassembled on collar 5. In reassembling the anti-pilferage device the collar 5 is held in place and the outer member I5 moved upwardly so that ring 25 is compressed to the diameter of surface 2|. The cover I5 is then moved upwardly until the ring snaps into groove 22 of cylindrical member I 6. The cover plate 39 is then assembled and held in place by means of the carseal type strip 43.

It is obvious that the device just described may be utilized to cover a bolt head or nut rather than cap 3. In any event the collar 5 is placed behind the nut which is then drawn down and then the cover I5 snapped into place.

In Figure 5 there is illustrated the application of the present invention to a cut-off valve generally designated l0. Valves of this type consist of an outer body 'II and a conically shaped cutoff plug 'I2 having an opening I3 therein for the passage of fluids when the valve is in the open position. In Figure 5 the valve is illustrated in the closed position such that Walls 'I4 block the passage of fluid through opening 'I5 in the valve body. The plug I2 is ordinarily held in place by a nut and in applying the present invention to such a construction the nut 80 is removed and the collar, generally designated 5, of the anti-pilierage device, inserted behind the nut. The nut is then screwed down and the collar 5 is held in place. The cover member generally designated I5, of the anti-pilferage device, is then placed and is locked and held by ring 25 as described With reference to the device shown in Figures 1 and 4.

The anti-pilferage device adjacent nut 80 prevents the removal of plug 14 but it does not prevent rotation of the plug and there is accordingly a second anti-pilferage device placed over the wrench-hold 90. The wrench-hold is ordinarily provided with a circular opening 9| and advantage is taken of this fact in holding collar 5a in place. This may be done by the insertion of a Wedge 92. The cover |5d is then snapped into place as aforesaid and the entire valve is sealed against any tampering.

It will be noted with reference to this application of the invention that covers I5 and |50. are Vfreely rotatable and therefore preventl any movement of the valve member 12. It will also be noted that skirt 95 extends below the lower surface of collar 5a and overhangs portion 96 of the valve body. As a result access to ring 5a is prevented. The skirt 91 of the lower anti-pilierage device also closely overhangs the valve body and prevents access to collar 5.

In the modication shown in Figure 6 the present invention is applied to a valve stem. rIhe valve stem |06-|56 is cut as shown at |00 and a channel member designated is attached to portion |56 of the valve stem which protrudes from the valve body generally designated |05. The cut-off portion 06 of the valve stem has attached to it a member generally designated |01 which is similar to the member |0 Members |0| and |01 are attached totheir respective portions of the valve stems by a plurality of set screws |09.

Member |0| is formed with a tongue ||0 and member |01 is formed with a slot III which cooperates with tongue I|0 to transfer the rotary motion of member |01 to member |0I when `the member |01 is turned by means of stern |06. The upper portion of stem |06 is provided with a hexagonal surface |2 or similar surface to receive a hand wheel of the valve.

Members |0| and |01 are formed with slots and ||6 respectively in which split rings l|1 and ||8, respectively are disposed. These rings are similar to that shown at 25 in Figure 3 and are of such size and configuration that when compressed the outer diameter of the ring will be slightly less than the inner diameter of housing |20. 'I'he housing |20 is closed at its upper end as shown at |2| and has a downwardly eX- tending skirt portion |22 which completely covers gland nut |23. The wall of the housing |20 is provided with a plurality of holes |30 similar in size and configuration to holes 30 shown in Figure 3. In this instance, however, the holes |30 intersect the wall throughout the entire portion of their length.

The housing |20 is provided with a cap |40 which covers holes |30. The cap |40 may be fastened in place by sealing strips |4| which are hooked over staples |42 set in the upper wall |20 of the housing.

The housing |20 is provided with a circumferential groove |50 upon its inner surface opposite compressible ring ||1 and groove ||5 and is provided with another circumferential groove |5| opposite ring ||8 and groove H6.

Grooves |50 and |5| are spaced so that When member |01 is locked in the position shown in Figure 6 slot I|| will be out of engagement with tongue H0.

As shown in Figure 6 the valve is locked in the open position and housing |20 is freely rotatable. Furthermore, stem |06 and member |01 are also freely rotatable relative to the housing and relative to the valve body |05. In order to unlock the valve a key similar to that shown in Figure 2 but divided upon a diameter and provided with a central aperture for stem ||2 is inserted, both halves simultaneously, with the rods 52 in holes |30. The key must be divided in the event the valve handwheel, not illustrated, is in place upon stem |06, but may be in one piece if the valve handwheel is removable. The central aperture just mentioned enables the key to be inserted around the stem |06. The rods on the key are sufliciently long to reach to a level |55 which is between rings ||1 and IIB. The rods accordingly serve to compress ring ||8 and do not reach nor compress ring ||1. Due to the compression of ring 8 it is forced out of contact with groove |5| and the valve stem 2 and member |01 may accordingly be moved downwardly until the lower surface of member |01 comes in Contact with the upper surface of member |0|, with the tongue H0 in groove The valve stem may then be rotated and will serve to rotate member |0| and the valve mechanism to open or close the valve as the case may be. The inward or outward movement of valve stem portion |56 due to opening or closing the valve merely serves to raise the entire housing |20 relative to the valve body |05 and skirt portion |22 is made sufliciently deep that it serves to cover gland nut |23V even when the valve stem |56 is in its full raised position- After the valve has been adjusted either open or closed, the stem ||2 is drawn upwardly until the ring ||8 snaps into groove |5| and the valve will thereafter remain in that position.

When it is desired to remove the entire housing a key having rods sufliciently long to reach below groove |50 is inserted. This serves to compress ring ||il and also ring ||1. The compression of the latter serves to release the housing |20 and may accordingly be drawn upwardly.

It is obvious that many variations may be made in the construction herein set forth and described without departing from the spirit of the invention described and claimed.

I claim as my invention:

l. An anti-pilferage device comprising a cylindrical body, a cover having an opening therein of a configuration neatly to receive said body, both the body and cover being formed with peripheral grooves, said grooves being positioned on the body and cover respectively so as to be opposite each other when the body and cover are in assembled relation, a compressible ring positioned in the said grooves, said ring being of a size and conguration so as tov be completely removed from the groove in said cover when the ring is compressed and so as to lie partly in said cover groove when not compressed, said cover being formed with a plurality of openings parallel with the axis of said cylinder and intersecting said cover groove.

2. An antipilferage device comprising a cylindrical body having a peripheral groove formed in its outer surface, a collar neatly circumscribing said body, said collar having a groove on its inner surface to overlie the groove in said body when the collar is assembled upon said body, and a ring positioned in the groove of said body, said ring being formed for expansion partly into the groove of said collar when the body and collar are in assembled relation, a cap formed on said collar, the capV and collar being formed with apertures intersecting the lower part of the groove of the collar. 1

3. An anti-pilferage device comprising a cylindrical member having a peripheral groove in its outer surface, an inwardly compressble ring member positioned in said groove, a cap member having an end and being a recess shaped to receive said cylindrical member when said inwardly compressible ring member is compressed into said groove, said recess being formed with an integral groove to receive a portion of said compressible member when the cylindrical member groove is moved into alignment with said recess, said cap member also being formed with apertures extending from the closed end thereof parallel to the axis thereof and intersecting the bottom of the internal groove for receiving an unlocking device for compressing the compressible member to release the cap member.

4. A device comprising a cylindrical part, a cover member having a cylindrical opening for receiving the cylindrical part for sliding movement therein, cooperating grooves in the cover member and cylindrical part oriented in a plane at right angles to the axis of the cylindrical part, a split ring positioned in the space formed by said grooves, said ring having a relaxed diameter suiciently large to cause it to lie partly in the groove of the part and partly in the groove of the member, said member being provided with a plurality of apertures extending parallel to the axis of the cylindrical opening therein and intersecting the groove of the member, said ring being adapted to be compressed to release the cylindrical part from the cover member by means of a key having push rods adapted to extend into each of the apertures and groove from the exterior of the member said rods being connected together for simultaneous movement.

5. A device comprising a cylindrical part, a cover member having a cylindrical opening for receiving the cylindrical part for sliding movement therein, cooperating grooves in the cover member and cylindrical part oriented in a plane at right angles to the axis of the cylindrical part, a split ring of rectangular cross section and of hardened material positioned in the space formed by said grooves, said ring having a relaxed diameter sufllciently large to cause it to lie partly in the groove of the part and partly in the groove of the member, said member being provided With a plurality of apertures extending axially of the cylindrical opening therein and intersecting the groove of the member.

6. An anti-pilierage pipe closure comprising a pipe cap formed with a cylindrical outer surface, a groove in the surface in a plane at right angles to the axis of the cap, a cover member for the pipe cap formed with a cylindrical opening for slidingly receiving the cap, said cover member being formed with a cooperating groove oriented to overlie the groove of the pipe cap when the latter is completely within the opening of the cover member, a resilient split ring having a diameter such that it rests partly in the groove of the cap and partly in the groove of the cover member when the ring is in its relaxed condition, the cover member also being formed with a plurality of spaced apertures extending parallel to the axis thereof and intersecting the groove of the cover member.

ANDREW MCWALTERS. 

